Aftershocks, Dark Tiger Awakens

The five corpses—especially that of "Shadow," the Soul Douluo—along with the Holy Spirit Cult tokens found on them, were neatly laid out before the grand gates of the Elder Hall, standing out with particular harshness in the morning light.

The news spread through Spirit City's upper ranks like a plague.

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood atop the tower of his residence, staring toward the Elder Hall with a livid expression, his fingers clenched white. The men he had sent to provoke them had their legs broken. The trouble he had pushed their way through his authority had been rejected intact. He had thought that without Yue Guan, the Holy Son's Palace would no longer be a threat. Instead, they had answered with an even harsher, more direct counterattack—wiping out an elite Holy Spirit Cult assassination squad led by a Soul Douluo!

This achievement was even more shocking than their previous extermination of the bandits! It meant that even without a Titled Douluo standing guard, the Holy Son's Palace itself possessed defensive and retaliatory strength that could not be underestimated! That Zhu Zhuqing had actually managed to severely injure a Soul Douluo? And Yang Yu's unfathomable methods...

"Trash! All of you are trash!" Golden Crocodile Douluo snarled under his breath, his chest heaving violently. He realized that all his previous probing and suppression had become a joke before the other side's absolute strength. He now had no choice but to reassess the threat level of this Holy Son.

Inside the Papal Palace, Bibi Dong listened to her subordinate's detailed report. When she heard of the evil aura Zhu Zhuqing had erupted with at the end, as well as how Yang Yu had casually snuffed out a Soul Douluo's self-destruction, her gaze became incomparably profound.

"The aura of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger... and Time Power?" The Rakshasa Divine Power at her fingertips stirred faintly. "My disciple truly has more and more secrets." She felt a trace of unease. Yang Yu's growth had already completely exceeded her control. Moving Yue Guan away had not restricted him at all; instead, it had forced out even more of his hidden cards.

"Pass down my orders," Bibi Dong said coldly. "Strengthen the outer security around the Holy Son's Palace and thoroughly investigate suspicious individuals within the city. The Holy Spirit Cult dares to infiltrate Spirit City and carry out an assassination? They must be tired of living!"

This order appeared to be protection, but it also carried the intent of surveillance.

Holy Son's Palace, Training Ground.

Zhu Zhuqing was attempting to control the newfound power within her body. During last night's battle, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's origin power had been completely awakened by the life-or-death crisis. Though it had only lasted an instant, that immense and evil power had already left a deep imprint within her.

She circulated her Soul Power and tried to draw upon that dark energy, yet it felt like taming a savage beast. A wisp of black qi seeped from her fingertips, carrying a chilling aura of devouring and destruction that slightly distorted the surrounding air.

She swung a claw at an ironwood training post. She used no spirit ability, merely drawing upon that dark energy.

Hiss!

The ironwood post seemed to melt under extreme heat, yet also appeared to be broken down by an invisible force. The point of contact instantly turned to ash!

Its power was astonishing! Yet Zhu Zhuqing's face became even paler. She could feel that while using this power, a savage murderous intent was also eroding her reason.

"Control it. Do not let it control you." Yang Yu's voice came from behind her.

Zhu Zhuqing withdrew her hand and turned to bow. "Your Highness."

Yang Yu looked at the ironwood post that had turned to ash and nodded. "Its destructive power is sufficient, but so are its consumption and backlash. Normally, rely mainly on your original Netherworld Power. Treat this dark power as a trump card. I will teach you a calming technique to help suppress the evil thoughts within it."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhu Zhuqing felt somewhat reassured.

"You did well last night." Yang Yu rarely offered praise. "After this battle, no one should dare reach out so casually for a while. Focus on improving your strength. There are still tough battles ahead."

"Yes!"

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Rongrong successfully sealed a hallucinogenic spore powder inside what appeared to be an ordinary jade hairpin. The trigger mechanism was set within the jewel at the pin's head. With only the slightest touch of Soul Power, it could release colorless, odorless hallucinogenic spores.

She inserted the jade hairpin into her hair and practiced several expressions before the mirror, making sure she looked natural and harmless. She felt that her "armory" was gradually filling up.

Just then, she received an "invitation letter" from Spirit Hall, signed by the Saintess Hu Liena. The letter sincerely invited her to a "Youth Spirit Master Exchange Gala" to be held in Spirit City half a month later. It mentioned that the masters of Spirit Hall's Soul Tool Hall would also attend and could "exchange insights" with her.

Ning Rongrong held the gilded invitation, her fingertips icy cold. Hu Liena still refused to give up. Was she trying to keep her under watch? Or did she intend to take this chance to probe into her background?

Should she go, or not?

She looked at her pale but stubborn reflection in the mirror, and her gaze gradually became resolute. She could not hide forever. Since they had made their move, she would go and see. Besides, she also wanted to see with her own eyes what sort of person Yang Yu—the man who had turned the continent upside down—really was.

She put away the invitation and began considering what she needed to prepare.

Star Luo Empire, Imperial Palace.

When Dai Tianfeng received word that the Holy Spirit Cult's assassination attempt had failed, costing them one Soul Douluo and four Soul Sages, he collapsed directly onto the dragon throne, his face ashen.

The last hope... had been shattered as well. Even the elite sent by the Holy Spirit Cult could do nothing to Yang Yu. What else could Star Luo rely on?

"Your Majesty..." A worried palace attendant stepped forward.

Dai Tianfeng waved his hand weakly. "Issue the decree... the border... will continue to contract its defenses... Without my orders, no one is to provoke Spirit Hall on their own initiative..."

It was as if he had aged twenty years in an instant. The sky over the Star Luo Empire was truly about to collapse.

Holy Spirit Cult, a hidden stronghold.

The Cult Master wearing a metal mask stared at the shattered life plaque in his hand, which belonged to Shadow, and remained silent for a long time. The cultists kneeling below did not dare breathe.

"Twin Martial Souls of space and time... and power seemingly belonging to the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger..." The Cult Master's hoarse voice echoed through the hall. "This Yang Yu is more interesting than we imagined, and... more dangerous."

He raised his head, his gaze beneath the mask deep and unfathomable. "Pass down the order. Suspend all direct actions against Yang Yu. Activate the hidden agents. I want to know everything about him, especially the origins and abilities of his two Martial Souls."

"Yes, Cult Master!"

"Rakshasa... you have raised quite an extraordinary monster." The Cult Master murmured, his tone revealing neither wariness nor excitement. "Still, the stronger the prey, the more interesting the hunt..."

Spirit City seemed to have temporarily regained its peace, but the undercurrents surged even more fiercely. After this battle, the Holy Son's Palace's prestige rose further. Aside from handling essential affairs each day, Yang Yu cultivated his two Martial Souls, guided Zhu Zhuqing in controlling her dark power, and... observed Xiao Wu's progress.

After receiving that beast-hide scroll, Xiao Wu trained with exceptional diligence. It contained a movement-type spirit ability called Phantom Nine Flashes. It was not an offensive skill, but it pushed speed and evasion to their limits. Paired with her soft skills and her Fourth Spirit Ability, Instant Movement, it greatly enhanced her ability to survive.

She did not know why Yang Yu had given it to her, but she had no other choice. She could only seize every possible opportunity to grow stronger.

On this day, Yang Yu summoned Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu to the study at the same time.

"Prepare yourselves. In three days, you will accompany me to the Star Dou Great Forest," Yang Yu said.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered. She had just broken through to level thirty-six and happened to need a spirit ring. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, froze. They were going to the Star Dou Great Forest?

"For your fifth spirit ring, the target will be over fifty thousand years old. Its attributes should focus on enhancing speed and attack, or on darkness and spiritual attributes," Yang Yu said to Zhu Zhuqing.

Then he looked at Xiao Wu. "You will come as well. You will be responsible for guiding us and standing watch. If you perform well, perhaps I can let you remain near the forest's outskirts... a little longer."

Xiao Wu's heart jolted! Returning to the Star Dou Great Forest? Though it would only be the outskirts, that was her home! She forcibly suppressed the excitement in her heart and lowered her head. "Yes."

She did not know Yang Yu's true purpose, but being able to return, even if only for a moment, was enough to fill her with longing.

Yang Yu looked at the two of them, his gaze profound. Hunting a spirit ring was only one purpose of this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest. More importantly, he wanted to personally meet the two "Forest Emperors" hidden in the heart of the forest and... confirm certain suspicions concerning the Holy Spirit Cult and the Rakshasa God.